Method of assembling textile printing apparatus



Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. VERLIK 3,284,890

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TEXTILE PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 10,1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT J. VER L! K BYgz ATTORNEY FIG. I

R. J. VERLlK Nov. 15, 1966 METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TEXTILE PRINTINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 10, 1962 I. I Iv 25cm T AN N OE INVENTOR. ROBERT J. VERLI K ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. VERLIK3,284,890

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TEXTILE PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug 10,1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY R. J. VERLIK Nov. 15, 1966 METHOD OFASSEMBLING TEXTILE PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledAug. 10, 1962 FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

INVENTOR. ROB ERT J. VER Ll K Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. VERLIK 3,284,890

METHOD OF ASSEMBLING TEXTILE PRINTING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 10,1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. ROBERT J. VERLI K ATTORNEY 3,284,890 METHOD OF ASSEMBLINGTEXTILE PRINTING APPARATUS Robert J. Verlik, West Stafford, Conn,assignor to Stafford Printers, Inc., Stafiord Springs, Conn., acorporation of New York Original application Aug. 10, 1962, Ser. No.216,160, now Patent No. 3,174,724, dated Mar. 23, 1965. Divided andthis'application Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 328,896 7 Claims. (Cl. 29-434)The present invention relates to printing apparatus and, moreparticularly to an improved method for handling and mounting engravedprinting rolls in the printing of textiles and the like which isparticularly adapted to the printing of short lengths of strike-offs ofa pattern for evaluation of the pattern and color.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial Number216,160, filed August 10, 1962, now United States Letters Patent No.3,174,724, granted March 23, 196-5.

Textile printing apparatus employs a plurality of engraved printingrolls which are spaced about the periphery of the backing cylinder toapply to the fabric the individual colors which combine to produce theprinted pattern. Conventionally, the printing rolls are rotatablymounted upon the frame of the apparatus by shafts which extendtherethrough and seat in bearings secured in bearing supports or centerboxes upon the frame, and the shafts are driven by fitting gears on oneend thereof which mesh with the powered star gear. Generally, the shaftsfor the printing rolls are of solid steel dimensioned to fit tightlywithin the cylindrical printing roll and provide firm support therefor;and these heavy shafts are driven through the cylinder by a hydraulicpress. The weight of the resultant assembly requires each roll assemblyto be handled and hoisted individually onto the frame by block andtackle or a hydraulic lift and further requires three men for efliciencyin the installation operation.

Conventionally, the color or dye is fed onto the surface of the printingroll by a brush which rotates through a color box containing a volume ofthe desired color. Because of the nature of the brush and the surfacearea to be covered, it is necessary to introduce 3 to 4 gallons of colorinto the color box to print even a small length of fabric. If it isdesired to alter the color being delivered to a feed roll, it isnecessary to remove and clean the feed brush and color box as well as toclean the surface of the printing roll and associated doctor blade, thecleaning operation generally requiring about ten to twenty minutes perroll.

In printing textiles, it is a desirable trade practice to run astrike-off or sample length of the pattern using the engraved rolls andthe proposed dyes for preliminary customer or designer approval. Sincethe engraved rolls are of large width, a production-type machine ideallyis required for the striking-off operation; however, it has beenproposed to use a test apparatus wherein the rolls would be mountedindividually for a sample-strike-off, although subject to the objectionthat the colors would not be true to the production operation whereinwet color is printed upon wet color.

Because of the time required to insert the shafts in the printing rollsand to mount the printing rolls upon the frame, it has been customary tomake the commercial run after receiving customer or designer approvaland to maintain the machine idle while awaiting such approval. Since thecustomer or designer very frequently requires the color or shade of theseveral dyes to be varied before giving approval, it is necessary toremove and clean the color boxes and brushes involved as well as toclean the surfaces of the roll and doctor blade. About one hour isUnited States Patent M 3,284,890 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 expended foreach sample strike-off with a change in color until approval isobtained. Oftentimes as much as eight hours, and even sixteen hours,will be required to set up the rolls and obtain approval for theproduction run with a resultant cost in lost production from theinoperative machine. Additionally, each change in color will result in aloss of substantially all the color added to the color box and taken upby the brush with a further considerable expense due to the costs of thedyes.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a novel and facilemethod of assembling a plurality of engraved printing rolls upon textileprinting apparatus to enable facile use thereof, to reduce down time onapparatus required for assembling of the rolls thereto.

It is a specific aim to provide such a method which is utilized formounting a plurality of engraved rolls upon textile printing apparatusfor printing samples or strikeoffs to reduce down time on commercialproduction equipment.

Other aims and advantages will be apparent from the following detaileddescription and claims and the attached drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional textileprinting apparatus of a type with which the present invention isdesirably employed and of a roll-carrying apparatus of the presentinvention for use therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view to an enlarged scale showingthe printing apparatus and rollcarrying apparatus during the assemblyoperation with a roll-mounting assembly embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a similar fragmentary perspective view of the assembledapparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view to an enlarged scalealong the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary front view to an enlarged scale of theprinting roll assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view to an enlarged scale ofthe fixed roll mounting end of the printing roll assembly in partialsection to reveal internal construction;

FIGURE 7 is a similar fragmentary front elevational view of theadjustable roll mounting end of the printing roll assembly; and

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the roll-carrying apparatus inelevated position.

It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can bereadily attained by a method wherein a plurality of engraved printingrolls are initially arranged on a carrier or support to establish thedesired print pattern. The roll-supporting cradle portion of the carrieris dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the printing apparatusand to locate simultaneously the plurality of printing rolls insubstantial alignment with the bearing supports upon the frame of thecooperating printing apparatus. After the desired pattern has beenestablished, the carrier is moved into registry under the printingapparatus and the cradle portion is elevated to locate simultaneouslythe plurality of rolls in substantial alignment with the bearingsupports. Roll-mounting assemblies are rotatably seated in the bearingsupports to rotatably mount the printing rolls upon the apparatus, andthe cradle portion is then lowered. Lastly, the carrier is removed fromunder the printing apparatus. The steps may be inverted for removal ofthe rolls from the apparatus and two or more carriers are desirablyprovided for most speedy operation.

After mounting the rolls in the bearing supports generally in accordancewith the pattern predetermined by their arrangement upon the supportmember, various finite 3 adjustments may be readily and rapidly effectedin accordance with conventional practice.

The roll-mounting assemblies utilized for the present invention arepreferably relatively lightweight and quickly assembled with ordisassembled from the printing rolls. Each assembly includes a pair ofinterfitting shaft components insertable into opposite ends of theprinting roll and providing a shaft portion extending through the rolland of lesser width than the aperture through the roll to provide radialspacing therebetween. More particularly, the first shaft component isrotatably mounted in one of a cooperating pair of bearing supportscoaxial with the printing roll and has a first mandrel means or portionthereon which is of generally frustoconical configuration and extendsinwardly of the adjacent end of the printing roll with its externalperiphery in firm contact with the inner wall of the printing roll atthe end thereof. The

first shaft component also has a coaxial aperture therein opening at theinner end thereof within the printing roll. A second shaft component isrotatably'mounted in the other of the cooperating pair of bearingsupports and has a portion which extends coaxially inwardly of theprinting roll and into the coaxial aperture of the first shaft componentand which is of lesser width than the aperture through the printing rollto provide radial spacing therebetween. The second shaft component hassecond mandrel means thereon of generally frustoconical configurationand extending inwardly of the other end of the printing roll with theexternal periphery thereof in firm contact with the inner wall of theprinting roll at the end thereof. Locking and adjusting means releasablylock the second shaft component to the first and provide axialadjustment of the second mandrel means relative to the first to obtainand ensure continued firm support of the printing roll upon the shaftcomponents by moving the mandrel means into tight engagement within theends of the printing roll. The second shaft component is readilydisengageable from the first shaft component and withdrawable from theprinting roll to permit speedy removal of the printing roll from theframe.

In accordance with the preferred aspect of the roll mounting assemblyfor the present invention, the first shaft component is integrallyformed with a generally frustoconical mandrel portion at one end thereofand a shaft portion extending coaxially outwardly therefrom. The coaxialaperture is formed in the mandrel portion and may extend into the shaftportion. The second shaft component is comprised of a separate mandrelof generally frustoconical configuration slidably mounted upon a shaftof considerably lesser diameter than the aperture through the printingroll for reduced weight and is configured and dimensioned to fit snuglywithin the coaxial aperture of the first shaft component. To preventrelative rotation between the shaft components and the printing roll,the printing roll has an axially extending key on its inner surface andthe outer surfaces of the mandrels are provided with axially elongatedkeyways in which the key seats.

To facilitate moving of the mandrels relative to each other and intofirm engagement within the ends of the printing roll, a threadedadjustment is most desirably employed. In accordance with the preferredaspect of the present invention, the second mandrel is slidably mountedupon a sleeve on the shaft which has a threaded portion having engagedtherewith threaded adjusting and locking means so as to permit threadedadjustment effecting or permitting sliding movement of the secondmandrel upon the shaft relative to the first mandrel.

Referring now in detail to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a conventionalprinting apparatus for textiles and the like is therein illustrated andincludes the frame 2 on which the shaft 4 rotatably mounts the backingcylinder 6 about which the cloth or backing grey 8 extends. The gear 10and chain 12 drive elements of the apparatus in the superstructure (notshown) in accordance with conventional practice. Outwardly of thebacking cylinder 6 and generally along the lower half of the peripherythereof, the frame 2 is provided with a plurality of pairs of bearingsupports generally designated by the numeral 14 which are adapted torotatably support a plurality of engraved tubular printing rolls 16 ofgenerally cylindrical configuration which are being transported on theroll carrier generally designated by the numeral 18 and which will bedescribed more in detail hereinafter.

Other conventional elements of the apparatus have not been shown forsimplicity and clarity of illustration includ ing the spider or maingear and the fitting gears which drive the individual printing rolls.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 wherein the bearing supports 14 areillustrated in greater detail, each of the several pairs of bearingsupports is comprised of a fitting box 20 which is slidably mounted inthe generally U-shaped support arm 22 of the frame 2 and is movabletowards and away from the backing cylinder 6 by the lead screw 24. Inthe retracted position of the fitting box 20, the access slot 23provided by the shorter upper leg of the U-shaped support arm is openfor passage of elements therethrough. The inner face of the fitting boxis provided with a transversely extending arcuate groove 26 in which isseated the bearing liner 28. As seen at the left of FIGURE 2, thebearing liner 28 is movably axially relative to the fitting box 20 andbacking cylinder 6 by the backing-out screw 30 and the entire fittingbox 20 is movable generally vertically within the support arm 22tangentially of the backing cylinder 6 by the side screw 32. On theinner sides of the fitting boxes 20 are provided support brackets 34 andslidably supported thereon are the holders 36 which have a generallyarcuate notch 38 therein. The holders 36 are slidable towards and awayfrom the bearing liner 28 by the adjusting screws 40 which are rotatablyseated in the support brackets 34 and threadably engaged with theholders 36. The collars 42 limit axial movement of the adjusting screws40 relative to the brackets 34 so that rotation thereof moves theholders 36 along the threaded screws 40. Mounted on the inner sides ofthe support arms 22 are shafts 44 which rotatably support pulley members46 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The mounting assembly for rotatably supporting the printing rolls 16 inthe bearing liners 28 of the bearing supports 14 is illustrated indetail in FIGURES 5-7. Extending through the generally cylindrical roll16 is a shaft element 48 of generally cylindrical configuration and ofreduced diameter relative to the inner diameter of the roll 16 so as toprovide substantial radial spacing therebetween and which is dimensionedto extend out- .wardly of one end of the printing roll 16 on the sideopposite the star or main gear (the left side in the drawings) and toseat in the bearing liner of the adjacent hearing support.

As seen in FIGURE 6, on the star Or main gear side (the right side inthe drawings), the shaft 48 is provided with an end portion 50 ofreduced diameter. The first or fixed mandrel shaft and mandrel componentgenerally designated by the numeral 52 is integrally formed and has agenerally frustoconical mandrel portion 54 which extends into the end ofthe roll 16 and has a cylindrical coaxial bore 56 extending thereinto inwhich the shaft end portion 50 is received in tight-fitting engagement.Relative rotation between the. shaft and mandrel component 52 and roll16 is prevented by an axially extending key 58 integrally formed on theinner surface of the roll 16 which seats in an axially elongated slot orkeyway 62 in the outer surface of the mandrel portion 54. Relativerotation between shaft and mandrel component 52 and the shaft element 48is prevented by the key 64 which seats in aligned axially extendingslots or keyways 66, 68 in the outer surface of the shaft element 48 andin the bore 56 of the mandrel component 52, respectively. Axial movementof the shaft and mandrel component 52 relative to the shaft 48 in thedirection of the roll 16 is limited by the abutment of the inner end ofthe shaft and mandrel component 52 against the shoulder formed at theinner extremity of the reduced end portion 50 of the shaft element andmovement away from the roll is prevented by the locking pin 70 whichextends through the shaft and mandrel component 52 and shaft element 48and which also serves to position the mandrel component on the shaftelement. The cylindrical shaft portion 72 extends outwardly from themandrel portion 54 and rotatably seats in the bearing liner 28. As bestseen in FIGURE 5, the outer cylindrical gear portion 74 thereof has anaxial keyway or groove 76 therein which is adapted to receive a key (notshown) for locking the fitting gear (not shown) thereon in full assemblyof the apparatus.

On the opposite end of the shaft element 48 is a sleeve generallydesignated by the numeral 78 which has a cylindrical bore 80 extendingtherethrough dimensioned for tight-fitting engagement upon the shaftelement and which extends outwardly of the printing roll 16. Thecylindrical end portion 82 on the shaft element extends inwardly of theend of the roll 16 and is spaced from a radial collar 84 at the oppositeend thereof by an externally threaded portion 86. A locking screw 88 inthe collar 84 seats in one of the several axially spaced radialapertures 90 in the shaft element to lock the sleeve against axialmovement on the shaft element 48, and variations in length or distortionof the roll ends can be compensated by varying the location of thesleeve on the shaft element to ensure firm fit.

lidably mounted on the cylindrical end portion 82 of the sleeve 78 isthe movable mandrel element 92 which is of generally frustoconicalconfiguration and has a cylindrical bore 94 extending therethroughdimensioned to provide a tight sliding fit upon the sleeve with acounterbore 96 at its outer end to permit extension over the threadedportion 86 without interfere-nee therewith. The mandrel element 92extends inwardly of the end of the roll 16 and has an axially elongatedslot or keyway 97 in its outer surface in which is received the key 58in the roll 16 to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A take-up oradjusting nut 98 adjacent the mandrel element 92 and a locking nut 180are threadably engaged upon the threaded portion 86 of the sleeve tomove the mandrels and roll into tight assembly and maintain tightassembly during operation of the apparatus. More particularly, theadjusting nut 98 is rotated to drive the several components into tightassembly and then the locking nut 100 is rotate against the adjustingnut 98 to maintain the mandrels and roll in tight assembly. Radialapertures 102 are provided in the nuts 98, 180 for insertion of wrenchesor other suitable tools to apply turning force thereto.

To limit movement of the mandrel element 92 thereon, a locking ring 104is seated in a circumferential groove at the inner end of the sleeve'78. A flanged bushing 105 is provided on the reduced end portion 106 ofthe shaft element 48 to equal the diameter of the bearing portion 72 ofthe fixed shaft and mandrel component 52 and to seat snugly in thebearing liner 28, thus completing the roll-mounting assembly.

Referring now in detail to FIGURES 3 and 4, a gravity color feed membergenerally designated by the numeral 108 has projecting support rods 112at its ends which seat rotatably in the arcuate notch 38 of the lowerholder 36. The color feed member 188 has a planar bottom wall 118 whichhas a beveled inner edge and slopes downwardiy towards the printing roll16 and is carried between the clamping plates 120 along its outer edge.At the ends and intermediate the length of the bottom wall 118 areprovide-d vertical walls 122 defining a plurality of compartmentstherebetween so that colors or dyes placed therein will be confined andflow by gravity along the downwardly sloping bottom wall 118 onto theprinting roll 16. To remove excess color from the surface of theprinting roll 16, a doctor blade 124 is provided which has a beveledinner edge wiping the surface of the roll 16. The blade 124 is carriedbetween clamping plates 128 and support rods 126 at its ends seatrotatably in the arcuate notches 38 of the upper holders 36.

The inner edges of the color feed member 108 and doctor blade 124 arebiased against the surface of the printing roll 16 by dogs 132 which arelocked on their respective support rods by set screws 133 and aresubjected to the torque of weights 134, 136 on the ends of the cords138, 148 extending about the pulley members 46. By use of weights 134,136, the pressure exerted by the inner edges of the color feed member108 and the doctor blade 124 on the surface of the printing roll 16 canbe readily adjusted to ensure a close fit without injury to the surfaceof the roll.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 8, the roll carrier 18 has a frame orcarriage 142 with a pair of upright posts 144 braced by the diagonalstraps 146 and which is supported upon wheels 148 for movement along thetracks 149. The support member 150 is slidably sup ported for verticalmovement on the upright posts 144 by the tied pairs of rollers 152 andhas a base portion 154 and a cradle portion 156 is formed with aplurality of arcuate seats 158 for the several rolls 16 with the axes ofthe seats 158 and thereby the rolls 16 received therein being locatedalong an arc conforming substantially to the arc defined by the bearingsupports 14 of the printing apparatus, and the seats 158 are spacedalong the are so as to conform to the spacing between the bearingsupports 14. To prevent injury to the surface of the printing rolls 16,the seats 158 have a lining 160 of soft, resilient material such asrubber or vinyl plastisol.

Vertical movement of the support member 150 on the frame or carriage 142is eflected by operation of a hydraulic lifter having a verticalcylinder 162 mounted on the frame 142 and a piston 164 reciprocabletherein which is fixed at its upper end to the diagonal straps 166 ofthe support member base portion 154. When fluid under pressure issupplied to the bottom of the cylinder 162 from the reservoir 168through the conduit 169 upon actuation of the motor 170 by thethree-position switch 172, the piston 164 and thereby the support member150 are driven upwardly.

After elevation of the support member 150, the switch 172 is moved toneutral position in which the valve for the conduit 169 is closed andthe motor 170 is deenergized. The support element 159 is lowered simplyby moving the switch to the third position wherein the valve for theconduit 169 is opened and the weight of the support member returns thefluid to the reservoir 168.

In the method of the present invention, the several printing rolls 16are placed in seats 158 of the roll carrier 18 corresponding to thedesired location about the periphery of the backing cylinder 6 toestablish the desired pattern. In the initial position, the center boxes20 are backed away from the backing cylinder 6 to open the access slots23 in the support arms 22. The carrier 18 is moved into position underthe backing cylinder 6 and the switch 172 is moved into position to openthe valve and actuate the motor 170 to supply fluid to the cylinder 162and raise the support member 158 until the axes of the printing rolls 16are aligned substantially with the several bearing supports 14, as shownin FIGURE 2.

The switch 172 is then moved into neutral position to continue tosupport the rolls 16 in the desired position during further operation.Into the end of each roll 16 opposite the star or main gear (the leftside in the drawings) is inserted a shaft element 48 which has beenpreassembled with the bushing 105 and the adjustable sleeve and mandrelsubassembly until the key 58 in the roll 16 seats in the keyway 97 ofthe mandrel 92 and the bushing 105 is properly seated within the bearingliner 28. Into the star or main gear end of the roll (the right side inthe drawings) is inserted the fixed shaft and mandrel component 52 withthe end of the shaft element 48 fitting into the cylindrical bore 56 andthe key 58 of the roll into the keyway 62 of the mandrel while thekeyways 66, 68 on the shaft element and mandrel respectively are alignedand locked by the key 64. The bearing portion 72 of the shaft andmandrel component 52 is properly seated in the bearing liner 28 of itsbearing support 14 and the locking pin 70 is inserted and fastened.

After the several rolls 16 have been mounted on the frame, the switch172 on the carrier 18 is moved to open the valve and allow the supportmember 150 to descend, and the carrier 18 is then removed from theapparatus frame 2. The roll mounting assemblies are then tightened toensure a very firm fit by using a wrench or other tool to turn theadjusting nut 98 and drive the movable mandrel element 92 inwardlyagainst the end of the roll 16 and the roll 16 against the fixed mandrelportion 54. The locking nut 100 is then tightened against the adjustingnut 98 to lock the assembly. The several rolls are rotated to move thepitch marks thereon (not shown) into proper position for alignment ofthe patterns thereon. The lead screws 24 are then tightened to move therolls 16 against the backing grey 8 and backing cylinder 6 and then thefitting gears (not shown) are mounted on the outer gear portions 74 ofthe fixed mandrels 52 in meshing engagement with the star or main gear(not shown).

After the rolls 16 have been mounted and positioned, the end rods 112 ofthe color feed member 108 are assembled with dogs 132 and seated in thenotches 38 of the lower holder 36. Any necessary adjustment of theholder 36 relative to the print roll 16 is effected by the adjustingscrews 40, and weights 134 are placed on the cords 138 to adjust therotational force on the feed member 108 and thereby the closeness of thefit between its beveled edge and the surface of the print roll. Thedoctor blade 124 is similarly mounted and adjusted. Those printing rollswhich pass through the color before reaching the bottom wall 118 of thecolor feed member 108 (the rear of the machine in the drawings) do notrequire separate wipers or doctor blades since the bottom Wall 118 willwipe the surface of the roll 16 as it passes thereby. The vertical walls122 may be provided conveniently by plastic inserts or an inert putty soas to enable ready variation of the width of pattern being printed by agiven color and to permit printing of several different colors and colorcombinations simultaneously. Generally, the printing of samplestrike-off lengths of a yard in length and a yard in width requires onlya cup of color. In running the sample strike-off, a machine speed of 3to yards per minute has been found satisfactory with a speed of about 6to 8 yards being most advantageously utilized.

If it is desired to alter the colors, the color feed members 108involved are pivoted to spill the excess color, and the operator thenreadily wipes or sponges the surfaces of the roll 16, feed member 108and doctor blade 124 without removing any of the elements from themachine.

To remove the rolls 16, the color feed member 108 and doctor blade 124are removed and the fitting gears .are also removed. The fitting boxesare then backed away from the backing cylinder 6 and the roll carrier 18moved into position and elevated to seat the several rolls 16 in theseats 158. The locking pin 70 is removed from the fixed shaft andmandrel component 52 which is then slid outwardly from the end of theroll. The shaft element 48 and adjustable mandrel subassembly are thenextracted from the other end of the printing roll and machine frame.After all the rolls have been dismounted, the support member 150 isdepressed and the roll carrier 18 moved away.

By the structure and method of the present invention, it has been foundthat the apparatus can be fully assembled for a strike-off with a set offive printing rolls in fifteen to twenty-five minutes and disassembledin ten to fifteen minutes, most conveniently by a pair of workmen. Thepattern of the rolls can be prearranged upon the carrier to ensure thedesired positioning of the several rolls about the printing apparatus bya master printer or foreman enabling the assembly to be effected by lessexperi enced workmen. Very small amounts of color are required for eachstrike-off, and a color used in a feed member can be altered in three tofive minutes, thus enabling rapid variation to obtain customer ordesigner approval. By use of the present invention in a productiontypemachine separate from the normal production equipment, a number ofstrike-offs can be quickly effected While maintaining full production onthe remaining equipment, and the sample strike-offs can be made well inadvance of the time for the production run to ensure unbroken productionon the commercial units.

Although but one specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it will be understood t'hat modifications may be madewithin the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In the printing of textiles and the like using apparatus having aframe with a backing cylinder and a plurality of axially aligned pairsof bearing supports spaced outwardly of the backing cylinder along thelower periphery thereof, the steps comprising locating in apredetermined arrangement a plurality of printing rolls of generallycylindrical configuration with generally cylindrically bores extendingtherethrough; simultaneously elevating said plurality of rolls in saidpredetermined arrangement into axial alignment with the bearing supportsof a printing apparatus; and rotatably mounting said plurality of rollsupon the printing apparatus While in said simultaneously elevatedposition.

2. In the printing of textiles and the like using apparatus having aframe with a backing cylinder and a plurality of axially aligned pairsof bearing supports spaced outwardly of the backing cylinder along thelower periphery thereof, the steps comprising locating in apredetermined arrangement a plurality of printing rolls of generallycylindrical configuration with generally cylindrical bores extendingtherethrough; simultaneously elevating said plurality of rolls in saidpredetermined arrangement into axial alignment with the bearing supportsof a printing apparatus; and rotatably mounting said plurality of rollsupon the printing apparatus while in said simultaneously elevatedposition by steps including inserting shafts through the cylindricalbores of each of said plurality of rolls and locking said rolls on saidshafts in coaxial relationship by mandrels engaged in the ends of saidrolls.

3. In the printing of textiles and the like using apparatus having aframe with a backing cylinder and a plurality of axially aligned pairsof bearing supports spaced outwardly of the backing cylinder along theouter periphery thereof, the steps comprising locating in apredetermined arrangement a plurality of engraved printing rolls ofgenerally cylindrical configuration with an axial aperture extendingtherethrough; moving said rolls in said predetermined arrangement undera cooperating printing apparatus; elevating said rolls in saidpredetermined arrangment to locate the rolls along an arc in axialalignment with the axially aligned pairs of bearing supports; androtatably mounting said plurality of rolls in said pairs of bearingsupports by inserting shaft elements thereinto.

outwardly of the backing cylinder along the lower periphery, the stepscomprising: seating in a predetermined arrangment a plurality ofprinting rolls of generally cylindrical configuration upon a rollcarrier having a cradle portion providing a plurality of spaced seatsand configured to locate simultaneously the rolls carried thereon alongan arc in alignment with the axially aligned bearing supports of aprinting apparatus; moving said canrier under a cooperatively configuredprinting apparatus; elevating said cradle portion to locatesimultaneously the rolls thereon along an arc in axial alignment withaxially aligned pairs of bearing supports; and rotatably mounting saidplurality of rolls in said pairs of bearing supports while in saidsimultaneously elevated position.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said rotatable mounting step includesthe movement of mandrels into firm engagement with the ends of said rollapertures to lock them on said shaft elements.

7. In the printing of textiles and the like using apparatus having aframe with a backing cylinder and a plurality of pairs of axiallyaligned bearing supports spaced outwardly of the backing cylinder alongthe lower periphery, the steps comprising: seating in a predeterminedarrangement a plurality of printing rolls of generally cylindricalconfiguration upon a roll carrier having a cradle portion providing aplurality of spaced seats and configured to locate simultaneously therolls carried thereon along an arc in alignment with the axially alignedbearing supports of a printing apparatus; moving said carrier under acooperatively configured printing apparatus; elevating said cradleportion to locate simultaneously the rolls thereon along an arc in axialalignment with axially aligned pairs of bearing supports; rotatablymounting said plurality of rolls in said pairs of bearing supports whilein said simultaneously elevated position; lowering said cradle portion;removing said carrier from under said printing apparatus; and makingfinite adjustments to said rolls on said printing apparatus.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,995 9/1888Wright 101174 675,024 5/ 1901 Sonntag 1(l1351 2,245,617 6/1941 Staffordet a1. 3,042,996 7/ 1962 Nelson 29148.4 3,221,529 12/ 1965 Chang 29469XR CHARLIE T. MOON, Primary Examiner.

1. IN THE PRINTING OF TEXTILES AND THE LIKE USING APPARRATUS HAVING AFRAME WITH A BACKING CYLINDER AND A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY ALIGNED PAIRSOF BEARING SUPPORTS SPACED OUTWARDLY OF THE BACKING CYLINDER ALONG THELOWER PERIPHERY THEREOF, THE STEP COMPRISING LOCATING IN A PREDETERMINEDARRANGEMENT A PLURALITY OF PRINTING ROLLS OF GENERALLY CYLINDRICALCONFIGURATION WITH GENERALLY CYLINDRICALLY BORES EXTENDING THERETHROUGH;SIMULTANEOUSLY ELEVATING SAID PLURALITY OF ROLLS IN SAID PREDETERMINEDARRANGEMENT INTO AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE BEARING SUPPORTS OF A PRINTINGAPPARATUS; AND ROATABLY MOUNTING SAID PLURALITY OF ROLLS UPON THEPRINTING APPARATUS WHILE IN SAID SIMULTANEOUSLY ELEVATED POSITION.